Matias Riccitelli Vineyard Selection Vinedo de Montana Cabernet Franc 2020

Region and Vineyards

This Cabernet Franc comes from a blend of three carefully selected sites in Mendoza, each offering distinct influence. 50% of the fruit comes from Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo, where 15-year-old vines grow at 1,000 metres altitude. The area’s pronounced diurnal range promotes long hang time, helping preserve acidity and develop complex aromatics.

The remaining 50% is sourced from two high-altitude subregions in the Uco Valley: Altamira and Vista Flores, both home to eight-year-old vines. These cooler, more mineral-driven sites contribute floral lift, precision, and structure. All vineyards are farmed with precision viticulture, including deleafing and green harvest in January, and manual picking into 20 kg trays at optimal ripeness in late April.

Winemaking

Grapes undergo a meticulous double sorting, then are destemmed and fermented in small concrete vats. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts at 20 °C, allowing for a gentle extraction that emphasizes varietal purity and texture. A 28-day skin contact maceration enhances body and structure.

The wine is aged 100% in French oak barrels, a combination of first, second, and third use, which contribute refinement and roundness without overpowering the fruit. No animal-based fining agents are used, making the wine vegan-friendly, and only minimal intervention guides it to bottle.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby-red with violet highlights.
• Aroma: Aromatically layered, with wild blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, and hints of leather and graphite.
• Palate: Rich and silky with supple tannins, elegant fruit, and a persistent, finely balanced finish. Notes of spice and minerality lend tension and depth.

Did you know?

Cabernet Franc has gained increasing traction in Argentina as a varietal wine, particularly in high-altitude terroirs like the Uco Valley. Riccitelli’s “Viñedo de Montaña” (Mountain Vineyard) selection showcases the grape’s finesse and expressive potential when grown in Mendoza’s coolest zones, far from the heavier styles of the past.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Venison loin with blackberry sauce – echoes the wine’s fruit depth and earthy complexity.
• Beef tenderloin with herbed crust – supple tannins and spice match beautifully.
• Grilled eggplant with pomegranate and tahini – minerality and freshness lift this savoury dish.
• Mature cheeses like Tomme or aged Morbier – pair well with the wine’s smooth texture and dark fruit core.

History of Matías Riccitelli

The Riccitelli project was born in 2009, when Matías Riccitelli—son of legendary Argentine winemaker Jorge Riccitelli—decided to create his own path. After gaining experience in some of Argentina’s most prestigious wineries and working harvests abroad in Bordeaux and South Africa, Matías established his eponymous winery in Las Compuertas, one of Luján de Cuyo’s oldest and highest zones.

Driven by a desire to blend tradition with innovation, Matías quickly made a name for himself through minimal intervention winemaking, precise vineyard work, and a deep respect for historical sites and forgotten varieties. His father Jorge joined him on select projects—most notably Riccitelli & Father—symbolising the union of two generations and two philosophies.

From the outset, the estate has focused on small-lot, characterful wines that express both place and personality. Matías has helped revive old-vine Semillón, spotlight single-vineyard Malbecs, and explore cool-climate varietals like Cabernet Franc, Bastardo (Trousseau), and Torrontés in Patagonia and the Uco Valley.

Region and Vineyards

Riccitelli Wines operates from its base in Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo), a high-altitude region known for its old vines and distinctive alluvial soils. The estate cultivates low-yielding plots, including a Malbec vineyard planted in 1927, where organic and sustainable practices are standard.

In addition to Las Compuertas, Riccitelli sources fruit from select parcels in the Uco Valley—including Gualtallary, Altamira, Vista Flores, and Los Chacayes—at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 metres. These zones offer cooler climates, rocky soils, and precise diurnal temperature variation, which allow for fresh, aromatic, age-worthy wines.

Further south in Río Negro (Patagonia), Riccitelli works with heritage vineyards planted in the 1960s and earlier, reviving rare grapes like Bastardo and Semillón. These old vines thrive in semi-desert conditions with sandy-loam soils, contributing freshness, low alcohol, and natural elegance to the wines.

Wine Range of Matías Riccitelli

The portfolio is structured around several key lines:

• Old Vines from Patagonia: Rare varietals (Bastardeau, Semillón, Pinot Noir) from 50–80-year-old vines in Río Negro.
• Vineyard Selection / Viñedo de Montaña: Focused on single-varietal expressions (Cabernet Franc, Malbec) from high-altitude Mendoza vineyards.
• The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree: A playful yet serious range highlighting varietal typicity - Malbec, Bonarda, Torrontés - crafted with minimal intervention.
• Riccitelli & Father: A multi-generational collaboration, blending Malbec and Cabernet Franc in an elegant, age-worthy style.
• República del Malbec: A tribute to Argentina’s Malbec heritage, sourced from pre-phylloxera vines planted in 1908.
• Hey Malbec!: A vibrant, juicy take on Malbec, intended for early enjoyment and pure fruit expression.

Did you know?

Matías Riccitelli was one of the first winemakers in Mendoza to work extensively with Bastardo (Trousseau), a variety almost extinct in South America. His version from Patagonia has helped revive global interest in the grape, once considered too delicate for Argentine terroir.